In Leviticus 23:27 Yahweh declares:
“Also on the tenth day of the seventh month there shall be a day of atonement:
[Strong’s 3725 kippurim, a Hebrew plural noun meaning covering] it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls and offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh.”
Yahweh speaks to us again in Leviticus 16: 34:
“And this shall be an everlasting [Hebrew OLAM, Strong’s 5769, age-abiding, not permanent or eternal] statute unto you, to make an atonement[Strong’s 3722, kapar] for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as Yahweh commanded Moses.”
We firstfruits refer to this day as Yom Kippurim or Day of Coverings. The Israelites’ sin was covered by animal blood. This is consistent with the Hebrew in the above verses from Leviticus.
Atonement is a poor translation made by William Tyndale in the 16thcentury. For more information about Tyndale, consider these sources:
“William Tyndale And the Language of At-one-ment” by David Ralph Seely found at
Rsc.byu.edu. The following is a sample quote: “William Tyndale ( d 1536 ), reformer and translator, is the true father of the English Bible. Tyndale was the first to use Jehovah, Passover, atonement, scapegoat, and mercy seat in his translation of the Old Testament.”
Atonement: theopedia.com:
“The word atonement is the only theological term of English origin.”
The True Meaning of Atonement by Harry Freedman from the Jewishjournal.com
Yom Kippurim was a high day or Sabbath set aside by Yahweh each year to cover or hide the sin of the Israelites with animal blood. Each year the Levitical High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies alone and sprinkle animal blood on the seat of the Ark of Covenant. This foreshadowed the blood of Messiah that was to be shed at a future time. However, when Messiah Yahshua died on the tree at 3pm on the 14thof Abib there was no longer a necessity for the annual observance of Yom Kippurim. The unique and precious blood of Messiah covered the sin of ALL mankind, not just the Israelites. (1 John 1: 7)
Does the New Testament offer any insight into the use of atonement? Atonement is found only once in Romans 5:11: “And not only so, but we also joy in Yahweh through our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Atonement is used to translate the Greek word, katallage, which is Strong’s 2643 and is better translated as reconciliation. Notice how the verb of this Greek noun is used in the previous verse, Romans 5: 10:
“For when we were enemies, we were reconciled [Strong’s 2644, katallasso, a verb] by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, [Strong’s 2644] weshall be saved by his life.”
Paul says we are already reconciled. There is nothing further to be done. Look at what Paul says in Hebrews 2: 17: “to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
Paul tells us in Hebrews 9: 28 that “Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of man.” The Levitical High Priest offered animal blood once each year. Messiah’s offering is permanent, not age-abiding.
The annual observance of Yom Kippurim has been nullified by the one-time offering of Messiah’s blood. There is no Scripture in the New Testament that requires us to continue the observance. This is similar to the rite of circumcision. It was required under the Old Covenant. However, we learned in Acts 15 that it had been nullified; done away with. In Colossians 2: 11-12 we are taughtthat circumcision was replaced by water baptism. Similarly, Yom Kippurim has been replaced. To continue to observe Yom Kippurim is to repudiate Messiah’s sacrifice.
What is reconciliation? Messiah’s blood covered all the sin of mankind. This free gift does not require repentance. This gift gives ALL mankind life. Every human that has ever existed will be resurrected and eventually live in the new heavens and earth. In Romans 5:11 above we are told: “much more being reconciled; we shall be saved by his life.”Is being saved better than just life. Yes! All are reconciled but not all are saved. To be saved means you will have an inheritance, not just life. That inheritance is living in the Kingdom of Yahweh in New Jerusalem. All those resurrected when Messiah returns will have that inheritance, but not all those that are resurrected on the Last Great Day. Many in that resurrection will receive an inheritance but not all. Those not receiving an inheritance will be living in the new heavens and earth, but outside New Jerusalem.
During the 1000 years following Messiah’s return, Levitical priests will again be performing animal sacrifices. We are told this in Ezekiel 45: 15: “And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Sovereign Yahweh.” During the 1000 years baptism will not be available. Satan is put away so the same conditions that the firstfruits experience in this age will not exist at that time. All who die during those years will have their opportunity for an inheritance in the Last Great Day.
But take note that Ezekiel in this same chapter mentions only Passover, seven days of unleavened bread, and the Feast of Tabernacles on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. Yom Kippur is not mentioned once! All mankind is already reconciled by the one-time sin offering of Messiah’s blood. During the 1000 years the Levitical sacrifices are only required of the Israelites who are living in the promised land. Yahweh has restored their earthly kingdom and the Levitical priesthood and sacrifices are required.
The firstfruits of the Light of YahwehShua do not observe Yom Kippur, aka atonement or Day of Coverings, for the following reasons:
1. The shedding of Messiah’s blood only one time was sufficient to cover all sin. We accept that one sacrifice. To continue to observe Yom Kippur is a repudiation of His blood as a sin offering for all mankind. Please review Hebrews 9: 22- 28.
2. We remember Messiah’s sacrifice on the day of Passover, Abib 14. He told us “this do in remembrance of me.”(Luke 22: 19) Paul quoted this in 1 Corinthians 11: 24. We are told once and then again reminded by Paul. It is important. It replaces Yom Kippur.
3. The Doctrine of Messiah found in Hebrews 6: 1-2 is the listing of the Feasts we are now required to observe under the new covenant during this age. Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles are not included. Please refer to Hebrews 6: 1-2 to compare my list of the days we observe listed below.
Repentance from dead works—Passover
Faith toward Yahweh---Unleavened Bread, the first Sabbath
Doctrine of Baptisms—Unleavened Bread, the 2ndSabbath, water baptism
Laying on of hands—Pentecost/Shavuoth, baptism of the Spirit
The resurrection of the dead—Yom Teruah/trumpets/Day of Shouting, resurrection of the firstfruits
Eternal judgment—the Last Great Day, resurrection of the rest of ALL mankind and their judgment
4. We do not want to condone the observance of Yom Kippur by Judaism or any other religious group. Judaism added a practice about 1000 CE as an addition to Yom Kippur that we also reject. That is the prayer of kol nidre which is said at the beginning of the service. To provide you with some insight about this prayer, I am going to quote a passage from a book by Benjamin Freedman, “Facts Are Facts.” This excerpt is found on page XIX. Mr. Freedman was formerly a member of the Jewish faith who later converted to Catholicism.
“Do you know what Jews do on the Day of Atonement, that you think is so sacred to them? I was one of them. This is not hearsay. I am not here to be a rabble-rouser. I’m here to give you facts. When, on the Day of Atonement, you walk into a synagogue, you stand up for the very first prayer that you recite. You repeat three times a short prayer called the Kol Nidre. In that prayer, you enter into an agreement with God Almighty that any oath, vow, or pledge that you may make during the next twelve months shall be null and void. The oath shall not be an oath; the vow shall not be a vow; the pledge shall not be a pledge. They shall have no force or effect.”
I would encourage you to obtain this book by Freedman and read his revelations for yourself. The internet is helpful as well. The Kol Nidre is a form of deception sanctioned by the Talmudic Rabbis. Beware!
There are many mistranslations in the Bible. In fact, there are NO completely accurate translations, You must study the Hebrew and Greek words to understand what is actually being written in the Scriptures. I recommend a Strong’s Concordance as a necessary study tool. You will not find the Kol Nidre, the Trinity, or Hell in the Scriptures. Words are important. If not used correctly you can be deceived.
You may wish to review two other articles on this website:
The New Covenant Feasts of Yahweh. (August 25, 2018)
The Fall Feasts: Truth and Lies. (September 2, 2017)
Should you have questions or wish to learn more about baptism please contact our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.